hi tootsieluu "cone viers" can you check that you have spelled this correctly.


"lumbar spine, demonstrate anatomic AP alignment. Lateral alignment is anatomic."

this states that the alignment or curvature of your spine from front on and from the side is normal ( they usually state this even if there is a small abnormality in the curvature of your spine)


"There is heavy aortic calcification"

this is related to the heart don't be alarmed its not necessarily a problem, but you should have a talk to your doctor about this.


"There is disc narrowing and osteophyte, L5-S1, L4-5 and facet athropathy at these two levels."


osteophytes are small bony spurs that form around the margins of the joint, and indicate osteoarthritis the facet joints are a pair of delicate joints at the rear of the vertebra that help the vertebra to move correctly, they are showing signs of arthritis S1-L5 and L5-L4 are the two bottom joints in your spine.


"Lower lumbar spondylosis, L5-S1, L4-5 with disc narrowing and osteophyte and facet arthropathy. There is no compression or listhesis"


spondylosis is a general term for degenerative problems found in the spine they may be normal changes due to the aging process, but they may also indicate disease. No compression of the nerves can be seen by the radiologist. listhesis is a term used to describe a slipping a one vertebra upon another, in your case its not present.


your options are conservative measures, exercise, such as gentle swimming, or manipulation, or mobilization, which are performed by physical therapists, osteopathes, or chiropractors. lifestyle changes you need professional advise here, i doubt that you will find a surgeon who would operate based on your current MRI findings but you should follow through with any specialist appointments you never know what they will find.

Good luck tootsieluu

Thank you, Rollar64 for your kindness and that fantastic breakdown. I feel so much better now that you have taken the mystery away and given me "straight talk". I was thinking of going for the transforaminal epidural injections as apposed to the lumbar epidural injections because it works better, from what I'm reading. What do you think? I ask because you are the only one who has givin me information that I can understand. Your answers are something I can digest and be prepared to speak intellegently about with my physician.
Thank you again, rollar64, for your post.

hi again tootsieluu thank you for replying, i cant really say which epidurals i would favour, its good that you are educating yourself about these things, you will be in a better position to judge which type of treatment to choose after you have discussed it with a doctor who you have a good opinion of, i,will have a read about these things and see if i can think of something further to add.

Thanks again, rollar64. I was very confused when I tripped over this site. ...My lucky day. Straight talk is what is needed during these times. Because of your interpretation, I feel prepared to discuss the issues with my doctor and begin recovery.
I would highly recommend this site.
Again, Thank you rollar64.
Tootsieluu

Have you had a formal diagnosis given to you by a spine surgeon or is your primary doctor sending you to a pain doctor for spinal injections?

If you haven't seen a spine specialist for a full diagnosis, I would suggest that you see one before you have injections done.

Please be sure that the pain doctor that is going to do the spinal injections uses floroscopy to do the injections.

If you can not find out the answer to the question or you find the answer is NO to using a floroscope during administration of the injection,
PLEASE RUN AWAY FROM THIS DOCTOR AS FAST AS YOU CAN.

It is never advisable to have any kind of spinal injections without the use of a floroscope.

Floroscope assures that the injection is placed in the correct location to ease your pain, if it works, and doesn't end up being given in a location that could have complications develop.

As for which type of epidural to have, being that I have had quite a few over the past several years, I would go with the transforaminal one.

I have had both kinds done and the success rate in general as well as personal experience is that transforaminal works far better.

Good luck

Fran

Fran___Thanks so much for your input. Having had both spinal injections, you are more aware of what I'm facing than I do. I feel more confident in talking with my care givers after reading your comments, and those of rollar64. It's good to get a heads up from someone who's been there.
I understand these injections are by no means fun, but I have trouble picking up 2 pounds or making the bed. You're talking to someone who just came back from Japan. I was climbing Mount Fugi and swimming in the hot springs. I'm home now and I'm not willing to miss out on any more life.
Thanks again, Fran, for some great information. I truly appreciate it.
Tootsieluu